Gold in antiquity: Did you mean...?

Almoravid dynasty (1056-1147 CE) gold coin from the reign of 'Abdallah ibn 'Iyad. 1146 CE. (British Museum, London)

A Moche gold headdress (1-700 CE). The figure represents a fanged deity, a common subject in Moche art. (Larco Museum, Lima)

A photograph of liquid gold in a refinery.

A Muisca (Chibcha) seated gold figure on a stool (tunjo). Colombia, 10th-16th century CE. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

A page of the 1554 Codex Tepetlaoztoc showing the collection of gold tribute by Spanish colonial authorities in New Spain (Mexico). (British Museum, London)

Gold coins issued by Samudragupta (circa 335 – 375 CE).

Gold stater from Lydia, reign of Croesus, 560-546 BCE. O: Lion and ox. R: Two incuse squares.

Hairnet made of finely woven gold wires, 1st century CE (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome)

A gold ring from Mycenaean Tiryns, the largest such example. The engraved scene depicts lion-headed creatures in a religious procession carrying libation vases. On the left side is a seated goddess. 15th century BCE. (National Archaeological...

In the Late Roman Period, precious metal that had been paid in tax was melted down into bars before being re-minted, to eliminate plated forgeries. Because local mint officials could be corrupt, the bars were stamped with the names of the...